Future Plans at St Johns Hospitals

Posted by Sandy Warren on Oct 04, 2017

Darren Lee Updates Ventura Rotary South

On Exciting Plans for St. John's Hospitals

Darren Lee, President and CEO of St. John's Hospitals, visited Ventura Rotary South on Monday, October 2, to provide members and guests with an update on extensive upgrades underway at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard and St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo.

"We're bringing state-of-the-art medical care to St. John's," said Darren, who has spent 16 years of his career with the Dignity Health organization (parent company of the St. John's facilities), serving as President and CEO for the past three years. He oversees the work of more than 1,800 employees.

The $20 million project at St. John's Regional Medical Center includes a doubling in size of the emergency department and the addition of a dedicated X-ray suite to more effectively treat those needing urgent care. A new patient discharge area is also scheduled to begin construction in January. Women's services is slated for major enhancements, including a new private entry area, new labor and delivery rooms, and a new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where families will be able to stay with their newborns.

At St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital, a budget of $80 million will feature 71,000 square feet of new space, including 50 new private rooms. Darren noted that the new facility will feature state-of-the-art construction with Styrofoam walls designed to flex in the event of an earthquake.

"At Dignity Health," said Darren, "we're all about care and compassion." He noted that no one is ever turned away based on their ability to pay. "We handle their care first and foremost," he said.

Thank you, Darren, for a fascinating look at the exciting plans for health care at St. John's hospitals!